Moreton Bay Studies
Years 11 and 12
Moreton Bay Studies is a whole day program immersing the students in a directed data collection process on board our
vessel Inspiration.
Studies are primarily focused around Green and St Helena Islands and may include:
 variation in fish populations within and outside green zones and over time and space;
 variation in benthic communities across time and space with the resulting impact on fish populations; and
 impact of fishing pressure on fish populations.
Pre-excursion activities ensure the studies are introduced to data and early findings. Students adopt the role of
Biologist, Geographer or Marine Scientist tasked with gathering data for vital research centred on Moreton bay.
Students become familiar with equipment and data collection protocols so that independent participation is possible
during the data gathering exercise. One Note files are created and students are challenged to find out more about
Moreton Bay and their study and to formulate research questions prior to boarding the vessel.
On program day, students board Inspiration to demonstrate scientific data collection on:
 fish populations using Baited Remote Underwater Videos (BRUVs)
 benthic communities using a benthic sampler to gather information about sediments, and a video glider to
record benthic communities
 water depth, clarity and temperature
 tidal and weather information to explore further trend patterns
The data will be returned to the school in digital format for the students to analyse.
After the program students will be provided with support to complete analysis of data and look to identify trends and
interrelationships that link the results to theoretical concepts relating to both the ecology and management of Moreton
Bay and the methodology. Additionally, their data will be added to our growing data set.
Access to the Moreton Bay EEC complete data set can be made available to allow more reliable conclusions.
Curriculum Intent: Biology
The students will complete an EEI based on the data collected focusing on the following parts of the syllabus
Key ideas
18. Abiotic and biotic factors in an environment influence the size of populations and the composition of communities.
20. Human actions have significant impacts on interactions within an environment.
Suggested subject matter
 An ecosystem consists of both living and non-living components.
 Changes in ecosystems can occur as a result of natural processes and human activity.
 An understanding of the various interactions within ecosystems is an integral part of environmental
management.
This field work will provide 5hrs in a natural environment and will require students to use
 techniques for identifying organisms (e.g. keys and field guides)
 sampling techniques (e.g. BRUV, Underwater video glider, Sediment grab)
Moreton Bay Environmental Education Centre
“Inspiring Champions for the Bay”
(07) 3906 9111 • www.moretoneec.eq.edu.au
admin@moretoneec.eq.edu.au
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methods to measure environmental data (salinity, temperature and availability of light)
NOTE: We minimise the collection of biological material and damage to the environment by using alternative means of
gathering information, such as photography, video.
Curriculum Intent: Marine Science
The students will be conducting an EMI (an extended marine investigation) using Dimension 2: Investigation and
analysis. The study will cover the following content from Marine Biology, Conservation and Sustainability and Marine
Research skills.
MB1.1 Biodiversity, the variety and abundance of life is an indication of the health of marine environments.
MB1.6 Field guides and identification keys use scientific and common names to classify organisms according to distinct
and observable features.
MB3.2 Marine organisms live in a variety of habitats, which may be classified according to biotic and abiotic factors (e.g.
rocky reef, coral reef, sea grass, bioturbated mud, reef sediments).
CS2.3 Recreational and commercial use of marine environments is managed through zoning, legislation, licensing and
enforcement to protect the longevity of marine ecosystems.
CS3.2 Methods and devices are used to collect data relating to water quality and population density and distribution
(e.g. secchi disk, baited remote underwater video, underwater video glider, GPS).
CS3.4 Research into the effects of human activities and resource management practices should be conducted to
evaluate long-term impacts.
Marine Research Skills
MS2.1 Vessels, instruments and techniques are used to observe and record the abiotic and biotic features of marine
environments.
MS2.6 Abiotic and biotic factors are examined in the field and the laboratory using specialised equipment (e.g. secchi
disc, sounder, digital thermometers, benthic samplers, underwater videos)
Curriculum Intent: Geography
Focus unit 6: Sustaining biodiversity
The students will design and implement a research plan, gather data and demonstrate analytical and decision making
processes. Some alternatives for their decision making process could include:
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expanding the Marine National Park zone around St Helena by 500m;
removing the Marine National Park zone from around St Helena Island;
creating a Marine National Park zone around Green Island; and/or
using other fishery management tools to manage the Marine National Park zone.
Moreton Bay Environmental Education Centre
“Inspiring Champions for the Bay”
(07) 3906 9111 • www.moretoneec.eq.edu.au
admin@moretoneec.eq.edu.au